There is nothing romantic about teargas. Or smoke bombs or rubber bullets or sound cannons.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the harsh realities of protest and civil unrest, devoid of glamor or romance.
Deray Mckesson's quote serves as a stark reminder that the tools used to suppress dissent—such as teargas, smoke bombs, and rubber bullets—are violent and inhumane. It emphasizes that there is nothing noble or romantic about the struggle against oppression; rather, it involves real danger and suffering. This perspective encourages a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by activists and the true gravity of their fight for justice.
In practice
Using this quote during a rally to remind participants of the seriousness of their actions.
If you close your eyes and think about where you feel the most safe, you're probably not going to tell me it's in a room full of police. You feel safe where you're around people that love you, when you have food and shelter, when you're being pushed to be your best self and learn.
Laws on hate speech and hate crimes do important work in a world that has been rooted in racism and bigotry since the inception of this country, which was not founded on ideals of justice.
So many of us don't know what we want; we just know we don't want what we have. We spend 99% of the time talking about how bad it is, but only 1% of the time talking about how we can do something about it.
I just couldn't believe that the police would fire tear gas into what had been a peaceful protest. I was running around, face burning, and nothing I saw looked like America to me.
The difference between equity and equality is that equality is everyone get the same thing and equity is everyone get the things they deserve.
Whether a revolution succeeds or fails people of great hearts will always be sacrificed to it.
When I rest I feel utterly lifeless except that my throat burns when I draw breath... I can scarcely go on. No despair, no happiness, no anxiety. I have not lost the mastery of my feelings, there are actually no more feelings. I consist only of will. After each few metres this too fizzles out in unending tiredness. Then I think nothing. I let myself fall, just lie there. For an indefinite time I remain completely irresolute. Then I make a few steps again.
Fighter pilots have ice in their veins. They don't have emotions. They think, anticipate. They know that fear and other concerns cloud your mind from what's going on and what you should be involved in.
To me, David Astor was a freedom fighter. To me, he wasn't just a journalist; he was a freedom fighter.
Among many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, "The cannibals! you will be eaten by cannibals!" At last I replied, "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms."
We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the conquest and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: None is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope!
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